After the Fall A Leap into a Stranger's Arms novel Chapter 54

"Waldo, don’t do this." Shirley reached over and gently patted his arm, her voice soft and comforting.

"Five years. Five whole years." Waldo closed his eyes, his face twisted with pain. "I can’t believe I didn’t see it at all. She lied to me for five years, and I trusted her with everything."

Shirley felt a sharp sting in her chest. Back before everything happened at sea, she hadn’t realized how deep Waldo’s feelings for Catherine ran. But now, after losing her, he was finally letting it all show.

Is it really true that people only value what they can’t have? What about her? She’d been by his side for those same five years. Had he really never seen how she felt?

"I’m sure Catherine didn’t mean to hurt you. She probably had her own reasons," Shirley said, though she knew whatever she said now would only make Waldo feel worse.

Sure enough, his expression grew darker. "That Lawrence… He must have seen Catherine’s talent from the very beginning. That’s why he risked everything to save her. He wanted her all along."

Shirley’s heart skipped a beat. Was Lawrence secretly in love with Catherine? Had her pushing Catherine into the water just given him the perfect chance to swoop in like a hero?

Well, at least the guy who saved her was just some broke nobody.

"But they’re already married."

"So what if they’re married?" Waldo scoffed, a cold smile on his lips. "If I want to break them up, there are plenty of ways."

Shirley caught the wild look in his eyes. She felt a mix of jealousy and anticipation. What would Waldo do to Catherine’s precious husband?

She still remembered how Lawrence had shut her down when she tried to get close to him. Just because he was good-looking and had a nice body didn’t mean he had any real charm. A man who couldn’t appreciate a woman wasn’t worth anything.

"Waldo, I get that you’re upset, but right now we really need to talk about Resonance AI. The summit’s coming up, and we have to present our work."

Waldo took a deep breath, his mind racing forward. Catherine would probably be there too. He was determined to make sure she saw him at his best in front of the entire tech world.

He had never bothered to bring Catherine to these boring summits before. Now that she was part of the industry, she’d finally understand just how impressive his company really was.

Shirley’s eyes lit up with smug satisfaction. She was already picturing Catherine at the summit, watching from the audience while Shirley stood center stage, showing off Resonance AI. Catherine would just be the new girl, with nothing to her name.

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